Biomes and Climates

Biomes

Biomes Six major biomes found in our planet: Grassland Tropical Rainforest Deciduous Forest Desert Taiga Tundra

Ocean and Saltwater Ecosystem 70% of our planet are the Oceans Oceans have a large number of life forms creating their own ecosystem and biome

The Colorful Oceans

Saltwater Ecosystem

Grassland

The Grassland African grassland

Grasslands Grasslands are also called plains, steppes, pampas, or savannahs Our country’s grasslands grow a significant amount of grains and wheat Our grasslands are known as the breadbasket of the world.

Grassland *Types of grasses: Short grasses are found in dry regions and tall grasses in wet regions. *Trees are rare in this biome *Receives around 25-75 cm of rain each year. Humid and hot summers. * The animals in the grasslands are herbivores and it is usually the survival of the fittest.

Deserts: Gobi and Sahara

Australian Desert

Death Valley, California

Deserts *Scorching temperatures of 100 degrees are normal. *It hardly ever rains so,only few plants could live. *Temperature can drop below freezing at nights during winter months.

Desert Adaptatations plants with thick leaves to store water Shallow root system, close to the surface to quickly absorb water Snakes and lizards with thick skin to prevent water loss Animals come out at night only

Rainforests

Rainforests plants and animals

Rainforests Rainforests are found around the equator where temperatures are about 25 degrees Celsius all year Rains about 200-250 cm per year Has three layers of vegetation: tall trees, second layer of trees as canopy, and third layer as bushes & vines

Tropical Rainforests Half the world’s animal population resides in the tropical rainforests Originally, 20% of the world’s forests were tropical rainforests Now diminished to a mere 6%, extensive efforts to save them are ongoing

Rainforests

Deciduous Forests

Deciduous forests This biome has four distinct seasons Multitude of beautiful colors are visible in autumn, when the tree leaves change 100 cm of yearly rain Common animals are raccoons, rabbits, bears, deer and squirrels 

Tundra

Tundra This is the coldest biome!  Arctic tundra is found near the North Pole with permafrost Alpine tundra is usually on top of high mountains Long winters and short cool summers Arctic fox and polar bear inhabit the biome

Summary Biomes near the equator are warmer and have more rain (rainforests) Biomes closer to the north and south poles are colder due to lack of sunlight For example: Tundra Taiga has evergreens Grasslands have long grass and moderate rainfall

Taiga Biome with cold temperature Evergreens and coniferous trees Average precipitation

Taiga Coniferous forests mean trees with cones Miles of evergreen trees Polar bear, caribou, elk, moose, wolves, lynx, deer and bear roam these regions Fresh water sources include lakes and streams

Biome and Rainfall Biome: Yearly Precipitation: Tropical rain forests 250 cm Deserts 10 cm Grasslands 10-40 cm Deciduous forests 75-250 cm Taiga 20-60 cm Tundra 25 cm

Assignment Describe a biome of your choice and include the following: Name of your biome Description of your biome Types of animals found Types of plants found Climate (rainfall and temperature)